Chapter 2: Expectations

"So…we're going to Esthar? Today!?"

"…yeah"

It was now 8am, like clockwork his partner had tiptoed into his room at precisely 7.50am, drawn open the curtains (much to his chagrin) and as daylight flooded in and seeped into his eyelids, she'd sit herself down onto his bed and gently nudge him awake. What usually transpired after was a shower, breakfast together in the cafeteria and then the commander would head back to the third floor where his duties began for the day.

Rinoa on the other hand was usually issued her own duties from the headmaster who checked in from time to time and from other members of the garden faculty. Her duties mainly consisted of helping out with the younger cadets, helping doctor Kadowaki in the infirmary and sometimes even instructing older cadets in the ways of casting and drawing magic, who better to teach the qualities of magic than a sorceress herself? Free time during the day was scarce but upon evening hours Rinoa would often spend time outside of garden, running and playing in the moonlit Balamb fields with her loyal companion Angelo. While pets are stilled banned at garden, a special exception was made for the fluffy hero.

"I wish I'd known sooner!" Rinoa exclaimed.

You and me both Squall thought dryly still groggy from the lack of sleep deprived of him after Laguna's early morning phone call.

"There's so many cool things in Esthar! Oh! I really want to visit that restaurant where your food floats and-"

"-Rin…it's not a holiday." Squall interjected before the young woman got carried away.

"We're going to see what the president wants to discuss…we'll only be there for one day, overnight at the very most. Ellone will also be going with us, we aren't there to go on a date."

Upon watching her smiling face falter, Squall immediately felt bad for his choosing of words. He wasn't lying, but perhaps he could have worded it in a way that wouldn't have dashed her hopes so quickly.

"…Yes, I suppose you're right." Rinoa replied, still smiling but now her eyes trailed the floor, she felt embarrassed for getting so excited over something like this.

Squall had already mentioned that they were only going to Esthar to see what the president wanted. She felt silly for thinking that maybe Squall wanted to take advantage of the trip to spend some actual couple time with her considering that they hadn't been on a date outside of garden in months. It was wishful thinking on her part.

An awkward stillness drifted across the room and settled around the two, growing more stagnant with each passing second. Squall stared at his girlfriend sitting across from him, smiling sheepishly as her fingers played and flayed around with the shining platinum ring hanging on her necklace. She felt his stare but couldn't meet his gaze.

"Well, while you get ready I'll go tell Ellone!" Rinoa declared suddenly getting up.

The brunette impulsively grabbed her wrist as she got up off the bed, he felt her arm twitch in surprise to the gesture.

"Rin…um…"

Her deep brown eyes were now locked onto his. Squall sighed, he was aware that the only dates they'd been on were walking around the quad, chatting in the secret area of the training center and the odd dinner in Balamb for the past few months, neither of which were particularly long due to their schedules and not particularly romantic either.

"I'll take you to that restaurant Rinoa and any other place you want to go toif we have time after…remember if we have time after-"

"-I can't wait!" The now ecstatic Rinoa wrapped her arms around the flustered male's neck. "Oh gosh I'm so excited!"

Squall slowly draped his arms around his partner, she faintly smelled of coconut and vanilla as she nestled her head on his shoulder.

"So there's this restaurant with the floating food that I was talking about but it's reeeally popular although I'm sure they can fit in a seat for the presidents son, amirite? Also I wanna pick up some stuff at Rinrin's store for Angelo in the shopping district and maybe Cheryl's store too! I heard they're giving away Rosetta stones becaush therth closhing-"

Squall squeezed her tighter, her face pressing into his chest, her voice now muffled as she continued to chatter away excitedly.

[Presidential palace: Esthar]

"Oh. My. Hyne. Guys."

The enthusiastic president mumbled pacing around his office. "I'm really gonna tell him! In a few hours!"

Laguna had invited his best friends and most trusted advisers to his office to help him out. Kiros and Ward. Both of which were brainstorming ideas and possible gestures the nervous Laguna could utilize to avoid either upsetting or freaking out his less than enthusiastic son.

"Okay, okay…I was thinking I'd just play it casual…so I don't scare him…or possibly make him mad…" Laguna explained.

"I think that's a good idea."

"…"

"Ward agrees too."

"Right? When I see him I'm just going to talk to him like young people his age do!" Laguna exclaims, still pacing around nervously as he feels that it's the only thing he can do to remain composed at the moment.

"When I see him I'll tell him…yooo duuude what's up! Guess what bruh? I'm yo daddy! Yeeeee-"

"-No. No, don't do that Laguna." Kiros says shaking his head. "That's a sure-fire way to get him mad...even disgusted."

"Well…how do you propose I tell him then, smartypants?" Laguna not-so-wittily replies. "I was going for the casual approach."

"…"

Both Kiros and Laguna turn towards Ward, the large robust man gestures that they come closer to listen to what he has to say. Both Kiros and Laguna do just that. "What do ya think I should say, Ward?"

"…"

"Could you repeat that Ward?"

"…!"

Laguna and Kiros exchange glances. "That…that's brilliant Ward!" Laguna remarks, walking over and slinging an arm around his muscular friend.

"Way better than Kiros's idea!"

Kiros raises a single brow while Ward nods knowingly.

"Okay Kiros, you be Squall! And I'll be me! Let's rehearse!"

"…whatever."

"Wow Kiros…you're good."

Ellone rested her head against the cool glass canopy of the Ragnarok. She closed her eyes as flecks of sunlight danced on her face, the warmth of the sun and the coolness of the glass brought out an inevitable yawn which she covered with her dainty hand.

"Sorry for dragging you out like this, on such short notice, Ellone." Squall said quietly as he entered the passenger room.

Standing in the passenger room, he almost felt as if he was floating through the cloud. The transparent canopy was engorged in fluffy water vapor as the Ragnarok zoomed through the blue sky.

Ellone opened her eyes drowsily and turned to face the young man, looking so mature and smart in his SeeD uniform. A smile played on her lips as she gestured for him to take a seat near her. Sitting down next to her, her presence immediately exuded a maternal aura. Ellone was only in her mid 20's, not much older than him but he already felt at ease just be being in her company.

"Ellone? I'd prefer it if you'd call me sis...hehe" She said, chuckling to herself.

The young woman draped her pea green shawl around her shoulders and tucked her coffee brown hair behind her ears.

"Squall…do you know what uncle Laguna wanted to discuss with you today?" She asked, Squall could tell she already knew the answer.

"No, I don't."

The resolve in Ellone's eyes reminded him that this wasn't a leisurely trip, much to Rinoa's disappointment. He knew asking Ellone would be fruitless as she'd almost certainly tell him that it'd be better to hear it from the president himself. She placed a warm hand onto his shoulder, Squall tried not to wince as he didn't expect it.

"Squall…listen to uncle Laguna. And don't get mad okay." Ellone began, the resolve in her eyes unwavering.

"I've learnt that everything has happened for a reason, and rather than dwell on the past we have to cherish the present. I hope you come to cherish today after you learn what uncle Laguna tells you."

The SeeD commander stared at her, he made no attempt to quell the look of confusion displayed on his face. He had no idea what she meant and the closer they approached to Esthar the more worrisome he began to feel. She squeezed his shoulder and got up from her seat.

"It's a bit cold in here isn't it?" She remarked, making her way past the young man towards the door leading to the hangar.

"I think you should check on dear Rinoa, I'm sure she's feeling cold too up near the cockpit, I'm just going to go freshen up a bit." And with that, Ellone had disappeared to the hangar.

Rinoa had been up near the cockpit for a long time, Squall realized. He left the passenger room and headed up the elevator to the cock pit. The Ragnarok was on autopilot, had they not been only 30 minutes away from their destination, Squall would have taken the reins of the draconic airship and flown the rest of the way himself, to save fuel.

"Rinoa…?"

"Zzzzz..."

Squall chuckled to himself upon witnessing his sleeping beauty in the comms station, triple triad cards strewn all over the communication panels. They would be in Esthar soon, he decided to let her rest for the time being.

*whoosh*

The gold trimmed turquoise blue doors of the presidential palace swung open, as the attendant from the front desk makes her way into Laguna's office.

"President Laguna sir! We have detected the Ragnarock over Estharian airspace. Do the SeeD from Balamb Garden have an appointment sir?" She asks, her long robes slinking over her hands as she checks her electronic pocket planner for the presidents schedules.

"Yes! Let em in!" The president cheerfully gives out the order.

"Understood." She affirms as she disappears through his office doors.

"…"

"Yes, how are you feeling, Laguna? Excited?" Kiros asks the jittery Laguna, now pacing everywhere.

"You seem to be a bit…nervous." Kiros deduces.

"Nervous? Not at all! I'm just fff-urghh my leg!"

President Laguna grasps his trembling leg which had now cramped up due to the sheer anxiety of it all.

"…"

"Good idea Ward, I'll go get a heat pack from the storeroom."

As Kiros made his way towards the doors, it unexpectedly swung open again.

Hm?"

"Uncle Kiros! Uncle Ward! Uncle Laguuuna!" A glassy-eyed Ellone appeared running towards the president with the stifling pain surging up his cramped leg.

"It's been so long—um are you okay uncle Laguna…?"

Lying on the floor, holding his left leg, he smiled warmly at Ellone, who was his daughter in his eyes. Beyond the concerned looking Ellone, he saw his confused looking son and his now sheepish looking girlfriend standing in the doorway of his office. He had to admit, lying on the floor in a fetal position was a rather odd way to greet…anyone.

"Rinoa! Squall! Hey!"

The president exclaimed, rolling back onto his feet. He gestured to the two of them to get out of the doorway.

"Hey…get over here kiddos! I wanna tell ya something."

End: Chapter 2

A/N: I'm sorry for such a long delay in updating (almost a year), my previous laptop gave up on me and in the process I had lost all my pre-written chapters (;_;). This was the only chapter I had that I could salvage but I will try to update much more frequently as I've already began re-writing up the next chapters! I'm really thankful for any sort of feedback and critique so please R&R if you can ^^ Thanks!